IWC – BIG PILOT’s Watch AMG G 63 Editions

 

IWC Schaffhausen – BIG PILOT’s Watch  AMG G 63  Special Editions 2023

 IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN UNVEILS TWO SPECIAL EDITION BIG PILOT’S WATCHES INSPIRED BY THE G-CLASS

Schaffhausen, 14th September 2023: Maximum robustness and performance, a utilitarian heritage and design cues that have proved stronger than time: these characteristics are at the root of the sustained success and popularity of the G-Class from Mercedes-Benz and the Big Pilot’s Watch from IWC Schaffhausen. 

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The Swiss luxury watch manufacturer now launches two special Big Pilot’s Watch editions to celebrate these modern design icons. While echoing signature G-Class design features such as the headlights or the spare wheel cover,  they are both made from extremely robust and resilient case materials. One features a case and crown of 18-carat Armor Gold®; the second is IWC’s first timepiece with a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) case.

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The Big Pilot’s Watch from IWC Schaffhausen and the G-Class from Mercedes-Benz share a similar history and are deeply rooted in a utilitarian legacy. Both were initially developed to meet purely functional criteria – one to be easy to read and highly robust, the other to offer uncompromising offroad capabilities. Over the years, they have retained their utilitarian beginnings and evolved into modern design icons at the same time. After nearly 20 years of partnership with Mercedes-AMG, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer now celebrates these icons with two striking special editions of the Big Pilot’s Watch.

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The Big Pilot’s Watch AMG G 63 (Ref. IW501201) boasts a case and crown made of 18-carat Armor Gold®, a black dial and a black rubber strap with microfibre inlay. The black and gold colour code is inspired by the exterior paintwork and interior finishing of the recently launched Mercedes-AMG G 63 “Grand Edition”. Armor Gold® is an innovative alloy that elevates the hardness values of gold to a whole new level and makes this comparatively soft, precious metal much more resistant to external influences. 

 

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Thanks to an improved microstructure, this special alloy is significantly harder and more wear-resistant than conventional 5N gold. The combination of sand-blasted surfaces and polished edges lends this Big Pilot’s Watch a classy, contemporary character.

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The Big Pilot’s Watch AMG G 63 (Ref. IW506201) is the first IWC timepiece to feature a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) case, engineered in close collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Unlike conventional carbon fibre-reinforced polymers, the fibres of this composite material are embedded in a matrix of ceramic rather than polymer. Therefore, CMC components are extremely damage-tolerant. Because they are also insensitive to thermal shocks, they are the material of choice for applications with extremely high requirements in terms of lightness, strength, and temperature resistance – from aerospace to the manufacturing of brake discs for sports and luxury cars.

A HIGHLY COMPLEX MANUFACTURING PROCESS

The starting point for manufacturing a CMC watch case is a conventional carbon-fibre reinforced polymer. In a heat treatment called pyrolysis, lasting several days, the polymer matrix is converted to carbon, leaving behind a dense weave of fibres embedded in a porous carbon matrix. 

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Subsequently, silicon crystals are placed on top of the component, and everything is heated in an oven. During this so-called siliconisation, silicon is pulled into the cavities and chemically reacts with the carbon, forming a new matrix made of silicon carbide ceramic. After finishing with diamond tools, the CMC cases exhibit a matte black colour and a unique structure determined by the fibres, making each piece truly unique.

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    “The manufacturing process for this lightweight and strong material is extremely complex. To achieve perfect quality, we had to overcome countless challenges – from selecting the right raw materials for the fibres and the matrix to defining the exact parameters for the different steps of the process. With its first CMC watch case, IWC again demonstrates its expertise in engineering advanced material solutions.”
Lorenz Brunner, Department Manager Research and Innovation at IWC Schaffhausen

REVISITING SIGNATURE G-CLASS DESIGN CUES

In addition to the Big Pilot’s characteristic power reserve display at 3 o’clock, both new editions feature a small second counter at 9 o’clock. The opposing subdials with external white rings imitate the typical headlights on the front side of the G-Class. 

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The black dials are embossed with a relief-like technical structure inspired by the air intakes of Mercedes-AMG performance cars. Unlike the classic Big Pilot’s Watch, which has printed numerals and indices, these special editions feature appliques that have been PVD-coated in black and filled with luminous material.

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HIGH-END IWC-MANUFACTURED MOVEMENT INSIDE

Both versions of the Big Pilot’s Watch AMG G 63 are powered by the IWC-manufactured 52010 calibre, a highly robust and precise automatic movement. Parts of the winding system that are subject to particularly high stress are manufactured from virtually wear-free zirconium oxide ceramic. 

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Developed by IWC’s former Technical Director Albert Pellaton during the 1940s, the ingenious self-winding mechanism uses even the smallest movements of the rotor in both directions to build up a power reserve of seven days in two barrels..The movements are visible through tinted sapphire glass back, which feature a Mercedes-Benz star and are reminiscent of the spare wheel cover on the backside of the G-Class.

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The Big Pilot’s Watch AMG G 63 editions in 18-carat Armor Gold® and in CMC are available through IWC boutiques or online at IWC.com. In addition, the timepieces are eligible for registration under the My IWC care program, benefitting from a 6-year extension to the standard 2-year International Limited Warranty.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICITIES

Collection : BIG PILOT’s Watch

 Model   BIG PILOT’s Watch AMG G 63 Armor Gold® Edition

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 Ref  IW501201

FEATURES

•  Mechanical movement 
• – Pellaton automatic winding system
• – Power reserve display
•  - Date display 
• – Small hacking seconds
• – See-through sapphire glass back
• – Glass secured against displacement by drops in air pressure

MOVEMENT
IWC-manufactured Automatic calibre 52010
Côtes de Genève, perlage
Frequency:    28,800 A/h | 4 Hz
164 Components
Jewels:    31
Power reserve:   7 days (168 h)
Winding:    Automatic
DIAL
Textured black dial, black hands with beige Super-LumiNova®
Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, date. Power reserve display
WATCH
Materials:  18-carat Armor Gold® case, case back ring and crown
Diameter:   46.2 mm
Height:    14.40 mm
Crown:  Screw-locked
Glass:    Sapphire,  convex, antireflective coating on both sides
Water-resistant: 10 bar
STRAP:
Black rubber strap with microfiber inlay, gold folding clasp
Strap width 22 mm

 
🔴PRICE - Excl. Sales Tax US $ 33,400.00 ~💰

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 Model   BIG PILOT’s Watch AMG G 63 Ceramic Matrix Composite CMC® Edition

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 Ref  IW506201

FEATURES

•  Mechanical movement 
• – Pellaton automatic winding system
• – Power reserve display
•  - Date display 
• – Small hacking seconds
• – See-through sapphire glass back
• – Glass secured against displacement by drops in air pressure

MOVEMENT
IWC-manufactured Automatic calibre 52010
Côtes de Genève, perlage
Frequency:    28,800 A/h | 4 Hz
164 Components
Jewels:    31
Power reserve:   7 days (168 h)
Winding:    Automatic
DIAL
Textured black dial, black hands with Super-LumiNova®
Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, date. Power reserve display
WATCH
Materials:  Ceramic matrix composite (CMC) case, Ceratanium® case, case back ring and crown
Diameter:   46.5 mm
Height:    14.60 mm
Crown:  Screw-locked
Glass:    Sapphire,  convex, antireflective coating on both sides
Water-resistant: 10 bar
STRAP:
Black rubber strap with microfiber inlay, stainless steel PVD-coated in black folding clasp
Strap width 22 mm 

 🔴PRICE - Excl. Sales Tax US $ 42,000.00 ~💰

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Press releases - 2023
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 IWC Schaffhausen
Uwe Liebminger
Department Manager Public Relations
Mobile  +41 (0)79 957 72 52
E-mail  uwe.liebminger@iwc.com
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ARMIN STROM – One Week – First Edition

 

ARMIN STROM –  One Week – First Edition 2023

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 ARMIN STROM UNVEILS THE ONE WEEK FIRST EDITION – THE SUCCESSOR TO ITS FIRST-EVER MANUFACTURE MOVEMENT

Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, 29 August, 2023: More architectural, more open and housed in a new streamlined steel case with an integrated bracelet: Armin Strom completely reimagines one of its most seminal models from the last decade, the One Week, in an all-new form. Debuting as the One Week First Edition limited to 25 examples, it further solidifies Armin Strom’s position as a full-fledged independent manufacture producing unprecedented mechanical marvels.

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Maker of movements. The true horology connoisseur’s manufacture. Armin Strom stands out as one of the handful of exclusive independent watch brands that can pride itself in conceiving, developing and building some of the most exceptional mechanical watches around. Back in 2010, the brand unveiled its very first watch called the One Week featuring a movement that was developed and manufactured in house. 

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Equipped with a seven-day power reserve and designed with symmetrical harmony in mind, the One Week would lay the foundation for many of Armin Strom’s groundbreaking developments, placing the brand on the radar of discerning collectors. Now, Armin Strom is revisiting its very first calibre in an all-new design and construction that’s bound to make the One Week a staple model in the brand’s lineup.

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As Armin Strom founder Serge Michel noted, “When we decided to revisit the One Week, we knew from the beginning that we wanted it to be an all-occasions watch: sporty yet sophisticated, intricate yet legible, and filled with immersive little details that even the most demanding collector can appreciate. It was also important for us that the new One Week be instantly recognizable as an Armin Strom by integrating and further refining many of the design elements that have become characteristic of our more recent creations.”

A RADICAL CONSTRUCTION

As devotees of transparent horology, Armin Strom makes it a point to always feature kinetic mechanical elements on the dial side. The One Week First Edition takes this core Armin Strom trait a step further. Completely reengineered and redesigned, the manual-winding movement is as sculptural as it gets. Form, function, aesthetics and ergonomics are all harmoniously brought into the foreground, resulting in a piece of otherwise traditional horology executed in a dynamic, radical way.

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“The One Week from 2010 holds a special place for the Armin Strom manufacture as it was the first movement we completely developed and built in-house. We went far beyond simply giving it a facelift, as it is in fact an entirely redesigned and reengineered movement. From the two barrels working in series for better isochronism to the 3D power reserve display and the increased beat rate, the new One Week is definitely a milestone achievement for our team in Biel,” remarked Claude Greisler, master watchmaker and co-founder of the revitalised Armin Strom.

FAR MORE THAN A REMAKE

True to its name and just like its predecessor, the One Week delivers an impressive seven-day power reserve. But that’s where the similarities end. The new manual-winding ARM21 calibre features two mainspring barrels, which work in series to provide consistent levels of energy to the gear train. 

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Held by two finger-style bridges, the barrels are symmetrically arranged on the right portion of the completely open dial. The manual winding ritual takes on a hypnotic choreography, as the motion of two ratchet wheels winding up the two barrels in opposite directions is entirely visible from the dial side.

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One of the most distinctive features of the new One Week is its power reserve indicator. Keeping with the architectural depth of the movement, the power reserve is indicated by a cone system, inspired by pocket watches. This consists of a mirror-polished cone, which is driven by a conical gear on the opposite side of the dial.

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New movement, new beat rate. Another major evolution in the new One Week is the oscillating frequency of the regulating organ. As it is designed as an all-occasions watch that can take on dynamic activities, the beat rate has been increased from 2.5 Hz to 3.5 Hz (25,200 vph). This higher frequency, which offers a more stable chronometric performance, meant that the entire gear train had to be recalculated and reconfigured.

THE PURSUIT OF BALANCE AND DEPTH

Another surprising first for Armin Strom is the placement of the hour and minute hands. Normally, Armin Strom watches feature offset hour and minute hands, either on a subsidiary dial as small hands or slightly off from the centre as large hands. In the One Week, the faceted hour and minute hands filled with Super-LumiNova are perfectly positioned in the centre of the open dial, further enhancing its visual balance.

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In fact, compared to the previous generation of the One Week, which featured a partially open dial to expose the movement, the new One Week was conceived to be much more three-dimensional. It totally foregoes a traditional dial, instead adopting a contemporary architecture, with various movement elements positioned in such a way that they can be explored from many angles. The bridge holding the hands has been designed with a geometric form to rise above the mainplate. 

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Keeping legibility optimal, the movement is surrounded by a chapter ring set with baton indices filled with Super-LumiNova. The small seconds at 9 o’clock are displayed on a small black dial, emblazoned with the brand’s “AS” logo.

ALL IN THE EXECUTION

Like all Armin Strom creations, from the purest to the most complex, the One Week is a masterclass in haute horlogerie hand-finishing. Straight and circular grained surfaces, chamfered and polished bevels, Geneva-striped plates and polished screws and sinks are clearly applied by expert hands. The One Week First Edition stands out in particular with its cool light blue PVD-coloured mainplate and bridges.

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The One Week’s micromechanical sculpture of a movement is housed in a suitably contemporary case. Crafted in stainless steel, it measures 41 mm in width and only 10.6 mm in height, surprisingly compact proportions for a calibre of such intense depth. Paired with an integrated steel bracelet consisting of “H”-shaped satin-brushed and polished links, the overall design is holistic with an emphasis on ergonomics to make for a perfect everyday wear piece full of mechanical intrigue.

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The One Week First Edition is limited to 25 pieces and will be delivered with an extended warranty period of 10 years, instead of Armin Strom’s usual 5-year warranty. It will also be distinguished from future editions with its light blue PVD coloured mainplate and bridges.

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TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Model:    One Week – First Edition

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Reference no. ST23-OW.FE

Movement
Armin Strom manufacture Calibre ARM21
Winding mechanism: manual winding
Regulating system: flat hairspring with a variable inertia balance wheel
Power reserve: 7 days
Dimensions: 36.60 mm × 6.00 mm
Frequency: 3.5 Hz (25,200 vph)
Jewels: 35
Number of components: 194
Indications: Hours, minutes, small second
Case
Stainless steel
Sapphire crystal and case back with anti-reflective treatment
Diameter: 41.00 mm
Height: 10.60 mm
Water resistance: 10 ATM
Dial
Black minute ring and small-second dial, numbers and indexes with Super-LumiNova® filling
Hands: faceted polished hands and Super-LumiNova® filling
Strap
Stainless steel with a double folding clasp

🔰 Limited to 25 pieces

🔴Price: CHF 32,000 / EUR 37,000 / GBP 32,000 / USD 34,000 💰

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Press releases - 2023
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ARMIN STROM AG |
Bözingenstrasse 46
CH-2502 Biel-Bienne | Switzerland
Tel. +41 (0)32 343 33 44
Fax +41 (0) 32 343 33 40
info@arminstrom.com
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For more information relating to this press release or to Armin Strom:
Bettina Fleury, Armin Strom AG,
Tel. +41 32 343 33 44, b.fleury@arminstrom.com
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